yeah it was something like that
that is cool
thanks for sharing

The mistake was ordering your checks from the bank. Use a thirdparty printer - you can find ads for them in your Sunday paper ads. My checks have nothing but my name and address (no phone, no date of account) etc, etc. Of course I have rarely use checks anymore.

You can also go to any retailer selling software and buy a program that allows you to print your own checks with whatever check number you choose. There is no magnetic ink but I have been doing this for 4-5 years with no problems.

If you do it with a laser printer the toner is already somewhat magnetic.

You can get MICR toner for most popular laser printers, but most bank's machines apparently use optics to read the checks these days, so it's not really necessary unless your bank is a particular stickler.

Recently was accused of using a fake ID to check in at Logan Airport.

New York recently issued this new holographic, tamper proof, yadda yadda drivers license which, quite frankly, is nauseating as it has a 3d strip in it. The license looks high-tech and new, however looks nothing like the license on the NYSDMV website (and I guess some "big book" of licenses)

At the checkin counter for Jetblue BOS-JFK shuttle the exchange went like this:
Me: Hi, I'd like to checkin and change to a bulkhead or exit row
CS: Sir, I need a real ID
Me: I just handed it to you
CS: Sir, we don't take fake ID's
Me: I should hope not
CS: Well then you see why I won't accept this
Me: No, I actually don't see why
CS: Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to step aside if you can't provide positive ID
Me: Why don't you get someone over 25 here to verify the authenticity of this ID
CS: Pages supervisior
Supervisior: How can I help ya?
Me: Yes, your CS agent here is accusing me of carrying around a fake ID
Supervisior: Why would he say that?
Me: I have no idea
Supervisior (to agent): This isn't fake
CS: Sir, I think it is, I would know. I'm originally from New York.
Supervisior: We don't need your nasty attitude here in Boston. New York is switching ID's and I suggest you change your attitude right now.
CS (sighing): Whatever
Me: So, I can still get an exit row, right?

I'm guessing with Jetblue's normally good customer service, this ditz was fired that day/

I hate to make an analogy here, but can you imagine what a similar situation would have been if TSA had been involved?

Supervisor (to traveler): If the screening officer determines this is a fake ID then it is fake. Step aside please, Sir.

The gall of some people.

How ironic, particularly in light of the fact that last week I actually boarded several planes and rented a car with an expired driver's license.

I went to great trouble to get a temp. replacement (for some reason CA can't issue them in person but needs to mail them) but none of the screener drones noticed. Until this thread I figured they just checked the photo and matched the name...

Fraud protection--if they mail them then the address must be good.

To a degree (and I'm sure that's CA's reasoning, anyway). The use of mail drops or similar addresses isn't all that difficult for those with criminal intent to figure out, though.

Yup, I remember when USPS was pushing to have all users of private mail facilities to use PMB XXX on their mail. PMB = Private Mail Box This was an effort to give a heads up to one an all (banks, credit card companies, mail order etc) that these were "real" addresses. The county clerk was hounded by news reporters when it came out that some 73 people were registered to vote and they all had the same "apartment" which was, in fact, a private mail drop!

My bank wouldn't let me withdrawl money with my DL less than 30 days since issuance. I had to come up with 2 more credit cards that proved my identity.

In Tampa last week I was surprised when both private security hall monitors checking IDs wanted to know where the expiration date on my DL was. The first checker before the train said I couldn't pass because my license was expired, and pointed to my DOB. The gatekeeper to the queue airside also took his time scrutinizing my card and mentioning he has to make sure it is not expired. I'm not sure he actually matched my face to the picture, though.

All these ID checks just blow my mind. Is it a threat that an evil doer could switch his identity between check-in and the train to the airside? If so, the risk must be even greater risk that he will change his identity on the 60 second ride.

Actually it increases the chance for fraud, because of the chance that it will get lost or stolen in the mail. Most i.d. theft occurs in low tech fashion by people rifiling through your mailbox or trash. That is why I use a PO box (and where my license was sent).

In many states DMV issues the license on the spot so at least they know it goes to the person who took the test and there is no chance of mail theft. Also no need for temporary i.d. which don't have pics and therefore can easily be used by someone else.

My guess is that CA doesn't want to spend the $ to outfit all the DMV offices with the appropriate machines. Idiotic but no doubt preserves some union jobs in a back office facility.